Gastrointestinal tract perforation after radiofrequency ablation for hepatic tumor: Incidence and risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the incidence and mortality rate of gastrointestinal (GI) tract perforation after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatic tumors and assess its risk factors. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 4799 patients with malignant tumors who underwent RFA (n = 7206). Sixty-nine cases of thermal injury to the GI tract were identified via a search of the electronic medical record system using index terms and divided into two groups according to the thermal injury with (n = 8) or without (n = 61) GI tract perforation based on follow-up CT reports. The risk factors for GI tract perforation were identified via multivariable logistic regression analysis using clinical, technical, and follow-up CT findings. RESULTS: The incidence of thermal injury to the GI tract and GI tract perforation was 0.96 % (69/7206) and 0.11 % (8/7206), respectively. The type of adjacent GI tract and history of diabetes mellitus differed significantly between the two groups (p < 0.05). The index tumor being located around the small intestine was the only significant risk factor for GI tract perforation after ablation (Odds ratio, 22.69; 95 % confidence interval, 2.59-198.34; p = 0.005 [reference standard, stomach]). All perforations were not identified on CT images immediately after RFA. The median time to detection was 20 days (range, 13-41 days). Two patients (25 %, 2/8) died due to perforation-related complications. CONCLUSION: GI tract perforation after RFA for hepatic tumors is rare; however, it is associated with high mortality. Thus, careful follow-up is required after RFA if the index tumor is located around the small intestine.

Synthesis and Dopaminergic Neuroprotective Activity of the Proposed Structure of Bassiamide A, a Caffeamide Alkaloid Derived from Bassia Indica Wight.

Herein, we describe the synthesis of the proposed structure of the caffeamide alkaloid bassiamide A. The amide moiety of bassiamide A was readily formed via an amide coupling reaction between caffeic acid and the known N-(3-aminopropyl)-3-methylbutanamide. However, the spectral data of the synthesized bassiamide A did not agree with that of a previous study. The structure of the synthesized bassiamide A was confirmed using combined two-dimensional NMR analysis. Extended analyses of the bioactivity of the synthesized bassiamide A revealed its efficacy in protecting dopaminergic neurons from MPP+-induced neurotoxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans. Additionally, treatment with bassiamide A notably ameliorated the impaired food-sensing ability and locomotion of Caenorhabditis elegans, suggesting a protective effect on the functionality of dopaminergic neurons.

Should we suspect gallbladder cancer if which CT finding is observed in patients with localized gallbladder wall thickening?

PURPOSE: To identify high-risk computed tomography (CT) features for predicting gallbladder (GB) cancer in patients presenting with localized GB wall thickening. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included 120 patients (mean age: 63.9 ± 10.0 years; 51 men) exhibiting localized GB wall thickening on CT scans obtained between January 2008 and May 2017. Two radiologists independently evaluated CT imaging features for predicting GB cancer. The diagnostic performance of significant imaging features and their combinations was evaluated. High-risk CT features ranked by accuracy were delineated for predicting GB cancer. RESULTS: This study included 55 patients with GB cancer and 65 with benign GB conditions. The top-four most accurate CT imaging features for predicting GB cancer were identified: heterogeneously enhancing single layer or strongly enhancing thick inner layer; GB wall thickness > 6.5 mm; hyperenhancement on arterial phase; and absence of intramural small cystic lesions (accuracies of 90.0 %, 88.3 %, 85.0 %, and 85.0 %, respectively). The combination of any three high-risk features exhibited the highest accuracy (94.2 %). The presence of any high-risk feature yielded a sensitivity of 100 %, whereas that of all high-risk features indicated a specificity of 100 %. CONCLUSION: CT imaging features, whether alone or in combination, could effectively and accurately predict GB cancer among patients with localized GB wall thickening. This finding holds significance in guiding decisions regarding further diagnostic tests and treatment planning.

The Association between Low Fetal Fraction of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes for Placental Compromise.

(1) Background: Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a screening test for fetal aneuploidy using cell-free fetal DNA. The fetal fragments (FF) of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) are derived from apoptotic trophoblast of the placenta. The level of fetal cfDNA is known to be influenced by gestational age, multiple pregnancies, maternal weight, and height. (2) Methods: This study is a single-center retrospective observational study which examines the relationship between the fetal fraction (FF) of cell-free DNA in non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and adverse pregnancy outcomes in singleton pregnancies. A total of 1393 samples were collected between 10 weeks and 6 days, and 25 weeks and 3 days of gestation. (3) Results: Hypertensive disease of pregnancy (HDP) occurred more frequently in the low FF group than the normal FF group (5.17% vs. 1.91%, p = 0.001). Although the rates of small for gestational age (SGA) and placental abruption did not significantly differ between groups, the composite outcome was significantly higher in the low FF group (7.76% vs. 3.64%, p = 0.002). Furthermore, women who later experienced complications such as HDP or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) had significantly lower plasma FF levels compared to those without complications (p < 0.001). After adjustments, the low FF group exhibited a significantly higher likelihood of placental compromise (adjusted odds ratio: 1.946). (4) Conclusions: Low FF in NIPT during the first and early second trimesters is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly HDP, suggesting its potential as a predictive marker for such outcomes.

A dietary commensal microbe enhances antitumor immunity by activating tumor macrophages to sequester iron.

Innate immune cells generate a multifaceted antitumor immune response, including the conservation of essential nutrients such as iron. These cells can be modulated by commensal bacteria; however, identifying and understanding how this occurs is a challenge. Here we show that the food commensal Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IMB19 augments antitumor immunity in syngeneic and xenograft mouse tumor models. Its capsular heteropolysaccharide is the major effector molecule, functioning as a ligand for TLR2. In a two-pronged manner, it skews tumor-associated macrophages to a classically active phenotype, leading to generation of a sustained CD8+ T cell response, and triggers macrophage 'nutritional immunity' to deploy the high-affinity iron transporter lipocalin-2 for capturing and sequestering iron in the tumor microenvironment. This process induces a cycle of tumor cell death, epitope expansion and subsequent tumor clearance. Together these data indicate that food commensals might be identified and developed into 'oncobiotics' for a multi-layered approach to cancer therapy.

A convenient spectrophotometric test for screening skin-sensitizing chemicals using reactivity with glutathione in chemico.

To initiate skin sensitization, haptens react with endogenous proteins. During this process, skin sensitizers react with small endogenous molecules containing thiol or amino groups. In this study, a simple spectrophotometric method to identify skin sensitizers in chemico was developed using the reactivity of glutathione (GSH) with test chemicals in a 96-well plate. To quantitate the remaining GSH following the reaction with a skin sensitizer, 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) was employed. The optimized experimental conditions included the pH- and time-dependent stability of GSH, stability of derivatized products of GSH with optimal concentration and incubation time of DTNB, incubation time of GSH with the test chemicals, and molar ratios of GSH to the test chemicals. With the optimized conditions with both acetonitrile and DMSO as vehicles and incubation of GSH with test chemicals in 1:10 and 1:15 ratios for 24 h at 4 °C, 23 skin sensitizers and 23 non-sensitizers, based on the local lymph node assay, were tested to determine the predictive capacity of individual conditions. The best result showed a predictive capacity of 95.2% sensitivity, 91.3% specificity, and 93.2% accuracy, with 93.2% consistency in three trials, when 5.8% depletion was used as a cut-off value in 1:10 of GSH:test chemicals in DMSO. It would be an economic and useful screening tool for determining the skin sensitization potential of small molecules, because the present method employs simple endogenous GSH as an electron donor for sensitizers with a spectrophotometric detection system in 96-well plates, and because the method requires neither experimental animals nor cell cultures. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43188-023-00218-9.

Impact of Larval Food Source on the Stability of the Bactrocera dorsalis Microbiome.

Bacterial symbionts are crucial to the biology of Bactrocera dorsalis. With larval diet (fruit host) being a key factor that determines microbiome composition and with B. dorsalis using more than 400 fruits as hosts, it is unclear if certain bacterial symbionts are preserved and are passed on to B. dorsalis progenies despite changes in larval diet. Here, we conducted a fly rearing experiment to characterize diet-induced changes in the microbiome of female B. dorsalis. In order to explicitly investigate the impacts of larval diet on the microbiome, including potential stable bacterial constituents of B. dorsalis, we performed 16S rRNA sequencing on the gut tissues of teneral female flies reared from four different host fruits (guava, mango, papaya, and rose apple) infested using a single cohort of wild B. dorsalis that emerged from tropical almond (mother flies). Although B. dorsalis-associated microbiota were predominantly shaped by the larval diet, some major bacterial species from the mother flies were retained in progenies raised on different larval diets. With some variation, Klebsiella (ASV 1 and 2), Morganella (ASV 3), and Providencia (ASV 6) were the major bacterial symbionts that were stable and made up 0.1-80% of the gut and ovipositor microbiome of female teneral flies reared on different host fruits. Our results suggest that certain groups of bacteria are stably associated with female B. dorsalis across larval diets. These findings provide a basis for unexplored research on symbiotic bacterial function in B. dorsalis and may aid in the development of novel management techniques against this devastating pest of horticultural importance.

A Case of Squamoid Eccrine Ductal Carcinoma of the Auricle Mimicking Perichondritis.

The subtype of eccrine carcinoma known as squamoid eccrine ductal carcinoma (SEDC) is rare; only 38 cases, including only 6 cases in the ear, have been documented in the literature. This may be the first case to focus on the fact that SEDC, located within the dermal and subcutaneous layers, spares the epidermis histopathologically, which can cause clinicians to confuse SEDC with acute perichondritis.

Sex differences in the impact of body mass index on outcomes of coronary artery disease in Koreans.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is often considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but recent studies have shown conflicting results regarding the effect of BMI on the prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between BMI and clinical outcomes of CAD according to sex in a Korean population. METHODS: A total of 3476 patients with a significant CAD who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled. Patients were classified as follows according to BMI using the Asia-Pacific cutoff points: underweight (<18.5 kg/m 2 ), normal weight (18.5-22.9 kg/m 2 ), overweight (23.0-24.9 kg/m 2 ) and obese (≥25 kg/m 2 ) patients. Underweight and normal weight patients were further categorized into the lower BMI group, whereas overweight and obese patients were categorized into the higher BMI group. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Among women, the higher BMI group showed poor clinical features in the prevalence of hypertension and chest pain presentation, and among men, the higher BMI group had a significantly lower rate of chronic renal failure. At the end of the follow-up period (median 53.5 months), the all-cause mortality rate was lower in the higher BMI group in men, and cardiovascular death and stroke rates were significantly lower in the higher BMI group in women. CONCLUSION: In Korean CAD patients treated with PCI, inverse correlations were observed between the clinical outcomes and BMI, but there were differences between men and women.

Baf-mediated transcriptional regulation of teashirt is essential for the development of neural progenitor cell lineages.

Accumulating evidence hints heterochromatin anchoring to the inner nuclear membrane as an upstream regulatory process of gene expression. Given that the formation of neural progenitor cell lineages and the subsequent maintenance of postmitotic neuronal cell identity critically rely on transcriptional regulation, it seems possible that the development of neuronal cells is influenced by cell type-specific and/or context-dependent programmed regulation of heterochromatin anchoring. Here, we explored this possibility by genetically disrupting the evolutionarily conserved barrier-to-autointegration factor (Baf) in the Drosophila nervous system. Through single-cell RNA sequencing, we demonstrated that Baf knockdown induces prominent transcriptomic changes, particularly in type I neuroblasts. Among the differentially expressed genes, our genetic analyses identified teashirt (tsh), a transcription factor that interacts with beta-catenin, to be closely associated with Baf knockdown-induced phenotypes that were suppressed by the overexpression of tsh or beta-catenin. We also found that Baf and tsh colocalized in a region adjacent to heterochromatin in type I NBs. Notably, the subnuclear localization pattern remained unchanged when one of these two proteins was knocked down, indicating that both proteins contribute to the anchoring of heterochromatin to the inner nuclear membrane. Overall, this study reveals that the Baf-mediated transcriptional regulation of teashirt is a novel molecular mechanism that regulates the development of neural progenitor cell lineages.

Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression Among Korean Women: An Analysis Based on the Korean Pregnancy Outcome Study (KPOS).

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression (PPD) can negatively affect infant well-being and child development. Although the frequency and risk factors of PPD symptoms might vary depending on the country and culture, there is limited research on these risk factors among Korean women. This study aimed to elucidate the potential risk factors of PPD throughout pregnancy to help improve PPD screening and prevention in Korean women. METHODS: The pregnant women at 12 gestational weeks (GW) were enrolled from two obstetric specialized hospitals from March 2013 to November 2017. A questionnaire survey was administered at 12 GW, 24 GW, 36 GW, and 4 weeks postpartum. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and PPD was defined as a score of ≥ 10. RESULTS: PPD was prevalent in 16.3% (410/2,512) of the participants. Depressive feeling at 12 GW and postpartum factors of stress, relationship with children, depressive feeling, fear, sadness, and neonatal intensive care unit admission of baby were significantly associated with a higher risk of PPD. Meanwhile, high postpartum quality of life and marital satisfaction at postpartum period were significantly associated with a lower risk of PPD. We developed a model for predicting PPD using factors as mentioned above and it had an area under the curve of 0.871. CONCLUSION: Depressive feeling at 12 GW and postpartum stress, fear, sadness, relationship with children, low quality of life, and low marital satisfaction increased the risk of PPD. A risk model that comprises significant factors can effectively predict PPD and can be helpful for its prevention and appropriate treatment.

Ethyl Formate Fumigation against Pineapple Mealybug, Dysmicoccus brevipes, a Quarantine Insect Pest of Pineapples.

Pineapple mealybug, Dysmicoccus brevipes (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a significant pest in pineapple production and a key trade barrier. We explored the potential use of ethyl formate (EF) as a methyl bromide alternative for the postharvest fumigation of D. brevipes in imported pineapples. When treated at 8 °C for 4 h, EF fumigation was effective against D. brevipes with LCt99, the lethal concentration × time product of EF necessary to achieve 99% mortality of D. brevipes nymphs and adults at 64.2 and 134.8 g h/m3, respectively. Sorption trials conducted with 70 g/m3 EF for 4 h at 8 °C using 7.5, 15 and 30% pineapple loading ratios (w/v) indicated that loading ratio lower than 30% is necessary to achieve the LCt99 values required to control D. brevipes. In a scaled up trial using 1 m3 chamber, EF fumigation with 70 g/m3 for 4 h at 8 °C with 20% pineapple loading ratio (w/v) resulted in a complete control of D. brevipes treated. There were no significant differences in hue values, sugar contents, firmness, and weight loss between EF-treated and untreated pineapples. Our results suggest that EF is a promising alternative to methyl bromide fumigation for the postharvest phytosanitary disinfection of D. brevipes in pineapples.

Clinical evaluation of noninvasive prenatal testing for sex chromosome aneuploidies in 9,176 Korean pregnant women: a single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the clinical significance of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for detecting fetal sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs) in Korean pregnant women. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed NIPT data from 9,176 women with singleton pregnancies referred to the CHA Biotech genome diagnostics center. Cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) was extracted from maternal peripheral blood, and high-throughput massively parallel sequencing was conducted. Subsequently, the positive NIPT results for SCA were validated via karyotype and chromosomal microarray analyses. RESULTS: Overall, 46 cases were SCA positive after NIPT, including 20, 12, 8, and 6 for Turner, triple X, Klinefelter, and Jacob syndromes, respectively. Among 37 women with invasive prenatal diagnosis, 19 had true positive NIPT results. The overall positive predictive value (PPV) of NIPT for detecting SCAs was 51.35%. The PPV was 18.75% for Turner, 88.89% for triple X, 71.43% for Klinefelter, and 60.00% for Jacob's syndromes. NIPT accuracy for detecting sex chromosome trisomies was higher than that for sex chromosome monosomy (P = 0.002). No significant correlation was observed between fetal SCA incidence and maternal age (P = 0.914), except for the borderline significance of Jacob's syndrome (P = 0.048). No significant differences were observed when comparing NIPT and karyotyping validation for fetal SCA according to pregnancy characteristics. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that NIPT can reliably screen for SCAs, and it performed better in predicting sex chromosome trisomies compared with monosomy X. No correlation was observed between maternal age and fetal SCA incidence, and no association was observed between different pregnancy characteristics. The accuracy of these findings requires improvements; however, our study provides an important reference for clinical genetic counseling and further management. Larger scale studies, considering confounding factors, are required for accurate evaluation.

Recurrence-free Survival After Liver Transplantation Versus Surgical Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Role of High-risk MRI Features.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) after liver transplantation (LT) or liver resection (LR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and perform subgroup analysis for HCC with high-risk imaging findings for recurrence on preoperative liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; high-risk MRI features). METHODS: We included patients with HCC eligible for both LT and LR and received either of the treatments between June 2008 and February 2021 from 2 tertiary referral medical centers after propensity score-matching. RFS and OS were compared between LT and LR using Kaplan-Meier curves with the log-rank test. RESULTS: Propensity score-matching yielded 79 patients in the LT group and 142 patients in the LR group. High-risk MRI features were noted in 39 patients (49.4%) in the LT group and 98 (69.0%) in the LR group. The Kaplan-Meier curves for RFS and OS were not significantly different between the 2 treatments among the high-risk group (RFS, P = 0.079; OS, P = 0.755). Multivariable analysis showed that treatment type was not a prognostic factor for RFS and OS ( P = 0.074 and 0.937, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The advantage of LT over LR for RFS may be less evident among patients with high-risk MRI features.

LI-RADS category is associated with treatment outcomes of small single HCC: surgical resection vs. radiofrequency ablation.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) category is associated with the treatment outcomes of small single hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after surgical resection (SR) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). METHODS: This retrospective study included 357 patients who underwent SR (n = 209) or RFA (n = 148) for a single HCC of ≤ 3 cm between 2014 and 2016. LI-RADS categories were assigned. Overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and local tumor progression (LTP) rates after treatment were compared according to the LI-RADS category (LR-4/5 vs. LR-M) before and after propensity score matching (PSM). Prognostic factors for treatment outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: In total, 357 patients (mean age, 59 years; men, 272) with 357 HCCs (294 LR-4/5 and 63 LR-M) were included. After PSM (n = 78 in each treatment group), there were 10 and 11 LR-M HCCs in the SR and RFA group, respectively. There were no significant differences in OS or RFS. However, SR provided a lower 5-year LTP rate than RFA (1.4% vs. 14.9%, p = 0.001). SR provided a lower 5-year LTP rate than RFA for LR-M HCCs (0% vs. 34.4%, p = 0.062) and LR-4/5 HCCs (1.5% vs. 12.0%, p = 0.008). The LI-RADS category was the sole risk factor associated with poor OS (hazard ratio [HR] 3.79, p = 0.004), RFS (HR 2.12; p = 0.001), and LTP (HR 2.89; p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: LI-RADS classification is associated with the treatment outcome of HCC, supporting favorable outcomes of SR over RFA for LTP, especially for HCCs categorized as LR-M. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System category has a potential prognostic role, supporting favorable outcomes of surgical resection over radiofrequency ablation for local tumor progression, especially for hepatocellular carcinoma categorized as LR-M. KEY POINTS: • SR provided a lower 5-year LTP rate than RFA for HCCs categorized as LR-M (0% vs. 34.4%, p = 0.062) and HCCs categorized as LR-4/5 (1.5% vs. 12.0%, p = 0.008). • There is a steeply increased risk of LTP within 1 year after RFA for LR-M HCCs, compared to SR. • The LI-RADS category was the sole risk factor associated with poor OS (HR 3.79, p = 0.004), RFS (HR 2.12; p = 0.001), and LTP (HR 2.89; p = 0.032) in patients with HCC of ≤ 3 cm treated with SR or RFA.

Preoperative assessment of microvascular invasion risk using gadoxetate-enhanced MRI for predicting outcomes after liver transplantation for single hepatocellular carcinoma within the Milan criteria.

OBJECTIVE: To compare therapeutic outcomes after liver transplantation (LT) between hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) with low and high risk for microvascular invasion (MVI) within the Milan criteria evaluated preoperatively. METHODS: Eighty patients with a single HCC who underwent LT as the initial therapy between 2008 and 2017 were included from two tertiary referral medical centers in a HBV-predominant population. A preoperative MVI-risk model was used to identify low- and high-risk patients. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) after LT between the two risk groups was compared using Kaplan-Meier curves with the log-rank test. Prognostic factors for RFS were identified using a multivariable Cox hazard regression analysis. RESULTS: Eighty patients were included (mean age, 51.8 years +/- 7.5 [standard deviation], 65 men). Patients were divided into low-risk (n = 64) and high-risk (n = 16) groups for MVI. The RFS rates after LT were significantly lower in the MVI high-risk group compared to the low-risk group at 1 year (75.0% [95% CI: 56.5-99.5%] vs. 96.9% [92.7-100%], p = 0.048), 3 years (62.5% [42.8-91.4%] vs. 95.3% [90.3-100%], p = 0.008), and 5 years (62.5% [42.8-91.4%] vs. and 95.3% [90.3-100%], p = 0.008). In addition, multivariable analysis showed that MVI high risk was the only significant factor for poor RFS (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: HCC patients with a high risk of MVI showed significantly lower RFS after LT than those without. This model could aid in selecting optimal candidates in addition to the Milan criteria when considering upfront LT for patients with HCC if alternative treatment options are available. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: High risk for microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma patients lowered recurrence-free survival after liver transplantation, despite meeting the Milan criteria. Identifying MVI risk could aid candidate selection for upfront liver transplantation, particularly if alternative treatments are available. KEY POINTS: • A predictive model-derived microvascular invasion (MVI) high- and low-risk groups had a significant difference in the incidence of MVI on pathology. • Recurrence-free survival after liver transplantation (LT) for single hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within the Milan criteria was significantly different between the MVI high- and low-risk groups. • The peak incidence of tumor recurrence was 20 months after liver transplantation, probably indicating that HCC with high risk for MVI had a high risk of early (≤ 2 years) tumor recurrence.

Combined Transarterial Chemoembolization and Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Infeasible for Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation: A Comparative Study with General Ultrasound-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic outcomes of transarterial chemoembolization combined with radiofrequency ablation (TACE + RFA) for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) measuring ≤3 cm infeasible for ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous RFA. METHODS: Twenty-four patients who underwent fluoroscopy-guided TACE + RFA for single HCC between January 2012 and December 2016 were screened. To evaluate the TACE + RFA outcomes compared with those of US-guided RFA, 371 patients who underwent US-guided RFA during the same period were screened. We compared local tumor progression (LTP) and intrahepatic distant recurrence (IDR) between the two groups before and after propensity score (PS) matching, and performed univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analyses for all patients. RESULTS: PS matching yielded 21 and 42 patients in the TACE + RFA and US-guided RFA groups, respectively. Cumulative LTP rates after PS matching were not significantly different between the two groups at 1 (0.0% vs. 7.4%, p = 0.072), 2 (10.5% vs. 7.4%, p = 0.701), and 5 years (16.9% vs. 10.5%, p = 0.531). IDR rates did not differ significantly between the two groups at 1 (20.6% vs. 10%, p = 0.307), 2 (25.9% vs. 25.9%, p = 0.999), or 5 years (49.9% vs. 53%, p = 0.838). Multivariable analysis showed that treatment type was not a significant factor for LTP or IDR. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of TACE + RFA for HCC were similar to those of general US-guided RFA. Fluoroscopy-guided TACE + RFA may be an effective treatment when US-guided RFA is not feasible.

The role of subspecialized radiologist reviews in preoperative conference for hepato-pancreato-biliary disease.

PURPOSE: To identify the role of subspecialized radiologists in preoperative conferences of radiologists and surgeons in the management of hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) diseases. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the prospective data of 247 patients (mean age, 63.8 years; 173 men) who were referred for preoperative conferences (n = 258; 11 were discussed twice) for HPB disease between September 2021 and April 2022. Before each preoperative conference, subspecialized radiologists reviewed all available imaging studies and treatment plan information. After each conference, any change to the treatment plan was documented (major, minor, or none). Additional information provided by the radiologists was collected (significant, supplementary, or none). Uni- and multivariable analyses were performed to determine factors that resulted in a major change to the treatment plan. RESULTS: Of the 258 reviewed cases, a major change was made to the treatment plan in 26 cases (10.1 %) and a minor change in 41 (15.9 %). Significant information was provided in 27 cases (10.5 %) and supplementary information in 72 (27.9 %). In the multivariable analysis, additional information about local tumor extent (odds ratio [OR], 6.3; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 2.1-19.5; p = 0.001) and distant metastasis detection (OR, 33.2; 95 % CI, 5.1-216.6; p < 0.001) was significantly associated with a major change. CONCLUSION: The involvement of subspecialized radiologists in preoperative conferences resulted in major treatment plan changes in 10.1 % of the cases, primarily associated with the added information about local tumor extent and distant metastasis.

Cell-Free Fetal DNA Screening Analysis in Korean Pregnant Women: Six Years of Experience and a Retrospective Study of 9327 Patients Analyzed from 2017 to 2022.

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening for normal fetal aneuploidy has been widely adopted worldwide due to its convenience, non-invasiveness, and high positive predictive rate. We retrospectively evaluated 9327 Korean women with single pregnancies who underwent a non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) to investigate how various factors such as maternal weight, age, and the method of conception affect the fetal fraction (FF). The average FF was 9.15 ± 3.31%, which decreased significantly as the maternal body mass index (BMI) increased (p < 0.001). The highly obese group showed a 'no-call' rate of 8.01%, which is higher than that of the normal weight group (0.33%). The FF was 8.74 ± 3.20% when mothers were in their 40s, and lower than that when in their 30s (9.23 ± 3.34, p < 0.001) and in the natural pregnancy group (9.31% ± 3.33). The FF of male fetuses was observed to be approximately 2.76% higher on average than that of female fetuses. As the gestational age increased, there was no significant increase in the fraction of fetuses up to 21 weeks compared to that at 10-12 weeks, and a significant increase was observed in the case of 21 weeks or more. The FFs in the NIPT high-risk result group compared to that in the low-risk group were not significantly different (p = 0.62). In conclusion, BMI was the factor most associated with the fetal fraction. Although the NIPT is a highly prevalent method in prenatal analysis, factors affecting the fetal fraction should be thoroughly analyzed to obtain more accurate results.